Apparatus and method for harvesting crops by stripping

ABSTRACT

The apparatus for harvesting crops, particularly seed crops, comprises a mobile support structure (20) and a crop stripping device in the form of a rotor (30), which may be attached to height adjustable arms and is driven by drive means (22). The rotor (30) carries transverse rows of crop stripping elements (1) which may be combined with transverse ribs. The crop stripping elements have prominent leading edges, for example each formed at the junction between two faces which are acutely inclined with respect to each other. The drive to the rotor is so arranged that during forward movement of the apparatus the crop engaging elements (32) are propelled progressively through the crop, moving upwards at the front region. Seeds and other plant parts detached by the action of the rotor are impelled into a crop flow passage (27) under a crop guide cover (21). A transverse auger (83) transfers the detached material into a duct (84) where an elevator (85) moves it over a screen (86) for separation of the seeds.

The present invention relates to apparatus for, and a method of,harvesting crops. It is concerned with detaching from plants, withoutcutting them, seeds, seed-bearing parts, seed bodies, and certain fruitsand/or foliage, collecting the detached material and separating from itthe wanted plant parts. The invention has particular application in theharvesting of grain crops, such as wheat, barley, oats and rice, butalso has application in the harvesting of pulses, oilseeds and herbageseeds.

The invention has application also in the harvesting of nuts and otherseed bodies and of flower heads, some fruiting bodies and foliage.

Commonly the harvesting of seed crops, particularly cereal and herbageseed crops, is carried out by a once-over, destructive operation whichinvolves the cutting of the seed-bearing stems near their base.Harvesting machines, particularly combine-harvesters, are easilyoverloaded by large volumes of crop bulk, because these create problemsof seed detachment and separation.

The in-situ stripping of seeds from the uncut crop has been attemptedrepeatedly and has met with varying degrees of success. In-situ seedstripping by a rotary device became known through U.S. Pat. No.1,290,484 entitled `Standing Grain Harvester`. However, none of theearly disclosures made adequate provision for satisfactorily harvestingseeds or other wanted parts from crops which are unfavourably presented,because they are either severely leaning, tangled, twisted or laid, withthe wanted parts in close proximity of the ground.

The most recent disclosures of in-situ seed stripping are by the presentinventor in published pending patent application Ser. Nos.PCT/GB86/01972 and GB 2188822A, and in unpublished pending patentapplication Ser. No. PCT/GB88/00001. These relate to crop strippingapparatus using crop engaging elements which are preferably resilientlymounted or made of resilient material, so that damage is avoided ofinadvertent contact is made with the ground or with foreign objects onthe ground.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide an improvedapparatus for, and method of, removing wanted plant parts from an uncutcrop, and to overcome many of the known disadvantages of existingharvesting machinery and methods.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to reducelosses of wanted plant parts, particularly seeds, which can occur insome crops and conditions with existing crop engaging elements, to keepthe fan effect and the energy requirement of crop stripping rotors low,to minimise the detachment of unwanted material and to maximise thedetachment of individual seeds, as opposed to whole or part seed heads,or of other wanted parts, so that any subsequent task of separating andcleaning the wanted fraction is facilitated and the required mechanismsmay be kept small and simple.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is providedapparatus for harvesting crops comprising: a mobile support structurefor movement over the ground; moveable support means capable of beingdriven relative to the support structure and extending transverselyacross the direction of forward movement of the apparatus; a pluralityof crop engaging elements cantilevered outwards from the moveablesupport means; means for driving the moveable support means so that thecrop engaging elements comb through the uncut crop at a front region, todetach and recover wanted parts including seeds; crop guide meansextending over or under the apparatus to prevent detached crop particlesbecoming lost and to direct them rearwards for collection; characterisedin that at least some of the crop engaging elements comprise cropstripping elements, each having a prominent leading edge and eachforming operation a wedge effective in the direction of movement of theelements for splitting the crop mass apart and for detaching wantedparts from the plants. It is believed that separation from the crop massof the wanted parts, such as seeds, is achieved in embodiments of theinvention primarily by beating, prising, rubbing and shaking such wantedparts off the crop. Other mechanisms involved include bending, breaking,cleaving and tearing.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof harvesting a crop comprising: moving through the uncut crop anapparatus according to claim 1, whilst driving said moveable supportmeans so that the crop engaging elements comb through the uncut crop ata front region of the apparatus, whereby said crop stripping elementshaving said prominent leading edges form wedges effective in thedirection of movement of the crop stripping elements and which split thecrop mass apart and detach wanted parts from the plants, the methodincluding impelling the detached crop parts towards a collectionfacility.

The apparatus of the invention operates by detaching from the seed-,flower- or fruit-bearing stems of uncut plants the wanted parts bycombing through the crop, leaving the stems standing.

The apparatus preferably also comprises associated compact apparatus forseparating already threshed seeds from the wanted and unwanted materialdetached by combing, and for completing the detachment and separation ofseeds from whole or part seed-bearing heads broken off and collectedduring the combing process.

The present invention finds application in self-propelled machines forharvesting seed and forage crops, and in machines which are mounted onsingle- or multi-axle tractors to be pushed or pulled through the crop.

The form of the crop engaging elements has beneficial effects upon theeffective operation of preferred embodiments of the invention. The sizeand shape of the elements, together with their operating angles andlateral and circumferential spacings, may be selected to maximise thedesired effects in terms of seed detachment and recovery during thecombing process.

As a plant stems are stroked by fast moving crop engaging elements, thestems are deflected more readily laterally than the relatively heavyseed-bearing heads. Because of their inertia, the seed heads adjacent toelements are subjected to a whiplash effect. This causes seeds to beshed, particualrly when seed heads collide with the edges and surfacesof the elements or with each other. Sometimes all or part of a headstill containing seeds can break off.

Individual seeds which become detached on, or collide with, cropengaging elements bounce off and, in operation of known harvesters, maybe launched into trajectories, particularly forwardly directedtrajectories, which are unfavourable for recovery.

In accordance with one preferred feature, in embodiments of theinvention, the outwardly projecting crop combing elements are mouldedfrom resilient material and are smoothly shaped to minimise any croptearing effect. Conveniently the elements may be flat in theirattachment region for predictable yielding in that region if an impactwith the ground or with a heavy object should occur. The flat attachmentregion may be laterally angled relative to the tranverse rotor axis sothat yeilding of the outer region of an element into a reclined positionmay take place in an inward and lateral direction.

In accordance with another preferred feature the crop stripping elementsmay comprise rods or fins, each forming or being provided with aprominent leading edge region for entering into the crop with minimaldisturbance. The prominent leading edge of the crop stripping elementsmay extend outwardly in one direction or in more than one direction.

Conveniently there may extend from the prominent leading edge of a cropstripping element on one or both sides a laterally declined surface sothat in operation of the elements the crop mass is split apart by theaction of a single- or double-bevel wedge respectively and wanted plantparts are beaten, prised or shaken off and are directed laterally. Thetrailing side surfaces may be flat, curved, grooved, ribbed or otherwisecontoured.

Preferably the trailing side edge of each declined crop engaging surfacemay be generally parallel with the prominent leading edge. Preferablyalso the outer edge may be reclined in the direction of movement.

Conveniently there may be provided, preferably in the edge regions ofthe crop stripping elements, recesses and/or protrusions to enhance thestripping effect and impel detached particles into laterally and/orinwardly directed safe recovery trajectories.

Conveniently circumferentially adjacent crop stripping elements may beso spaced laterally that their declined surfaces overlap in thedirection of movement of the elements, or there may be provided lateralclearance.

In accordance with yet another preferred feature outwardly extendingcrop engaging elements may comprise crop stripping elements mounted onthe moveable support means in helically arranged succession in such away that each of the prominent leading edges is preferably forwardlyinclined, and the laterally extending surfaces taper rearwardly andinwardly towards the moveable support means. In operation of thehelically arranged crop stripping elements, upstanding crop comes to belaid at an angle across the prominent leading edge regions, and completedetachment of wanted plant parts is accomplished by the combined effectsof leading and trailing edge regions.

Conveniently the spirally arranged crop stripping elements may be formedof sheet-like material in continuous or sectioned strips. They may bemoulded or mounted so that the outer edge regions of the elements arelaterally offset relative to the mounting region. The outwardlyextending leading edge and the trailing region of the preceding elementmay be profiled to enhance the stripping effect by the provision ofrecesses and/or protrusions.

In accordance with a further preferred feature the crop strippingelements may comprise a strong spine in the outwardly extendingprominent edge region, and the trailing region of each laterallydeclined crop engaging surface may be formed of thinner and moreflexible material, to allow preferential yielding of the side regions inresponse to increasing crop pressure and friction.

The flexible side regions may be divided by lateral slits, preferablynormal to the prominent leading edge region, so that each section formsa flap which may yield independently, allowing intrusion of stiff plantstems into the normal profile of the elements, so that the stems aremomentarily enveloped from the sides.

In accordance with a yet further feature the crop stripping elements mayresemble an outwardly directed conical coil spring with widely spacedcoils to allow intrusion of the crop from the sides and stripping ofwanted parts as the crop is pulled through between the coils.

In embodiments of the invention the laterally declined crop engagingsurfaces of wedge-form elements may lie in more than one plane, andthere may be provided surface contouring, including transverse orlongitudinal ribbing or corrugating, to improve the strippingcharacteristics of the crop engaging surfaces and edges and of anyrecesses and protrusions.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the crop strippingelements may form separate or integral extensions of transversely orhelically arranged and outwardly directed flat or corrugated ribs. Theribs may be provided with serrations at their outer edge, so thatbroken-off crop fragments still containing seeds are subjected to a moresevere threshing effect on impact with the edge than would be providedin the absence of an edge or by a straight, smooth edge.

Conveniently crop stripping elements may be attached also to themoveable support means so that the elements are interspersed with thetransversely or helically arranged ribs. Detached crop parts which fallor slide into the space swept by the ribs may be impelled outwards forrecovery. The ridges and depressions formed in corrugated ribs areadvantageous, particularly in the harvesting of small and light seeds,in that detached seeds may be collected together into distinct streams.

Conveniently the side edges of acutely serrated and preferablycorrugated ribs may co-operate with the stripping elements to directcrop stems laterally into the zone of influence of the elements.Circumferentially successive, acutely serrated ribs may be staggeredlaterally relative to stripping elements, to intercept and re-direct alldetached crop parts.

Conveniently the attachment region of crop stripping elements may lie ina plane which differs from the plane or planes of the crop engagingregion. Crop stripping elements which form extensions of transversely orhelically arranged ribs may be connected with the ribs in continuationof the principal plane of the rib in the attachment region, or in aplane different from the plane of the rib in the connecting region.

In other preferred forms the elements may be formed, preferably bymoulding, with the base portions thickened, in stepped form or bygradual lateral tapering towards the support means. Correspondingguides, which may be welded, screwed, bolted or otherwise secureddirectly to the moveable support means, may be provided to enable theelements to be slid into their operating positions and to be retainedthere securely. Conveniently in an alternative form the guides may be soshaped that outwardly directed flanges may be sprung apart by forcingthe shaped base portion of the elements between them. On return to theirnormal dispositions at least one of the flanges locks the elements inposition.

Alternatively the elements may be bolted or pinned to continuous orsectioned flange-type, channel-section or other types of bracket.

As an alternative to securing the guides or brackets directly to themoveable support means, which may be tubular of circular or polygonalcross-section or may consist of a continuous belt, the retaining meansfor the elements may be attached to transverse or circumferential stripsof metal or other rigid or semi-rigid material, and the strips in turnmay be bolted, slideably located or held in tension on the surface ofthe moveable support means. A particular advantage of mounting bracketsand guides for the wedge-form crop stripping elements being attached tostrips which can be tensioned around the circumference of moveablesupport means of tubular construction is that the lateral spacing ofcircumferential arrays of elements may be easily varied by slackeningthe tensioning means, relocating the mounting straps and re-tensioningthem. Reversing the elements for operation of the crop stripping devicein the opposite direction is also made possible.

In embodiments of the invention the height-adjustable moveable supportmeans to which the crop engaging elements are secured may be driven tomove the elements through the crop in the overshot or the undershotmode, that is to say in such a way that the elements move respectivelyupwards or downwards at a front region. Conveniently the crop flowpassage may extend around the upper part of the crop stripping device,when the device is driven in the overshot mode. In the outward directionthe passage is defined by a preferably smoothly curved crop guide coverwhich serves to direct detached plant parts rearwards to the second partof the apparatus for further processing, cleaning and collection.

In some embodiments of the invention the crop stripping device may bedriven so that the crop engaging elements move downwards at a frontregion. This form of operation is particularly appropriate in shortcrops and when the crop stripping elements are formed to impel detachedplant parts initially inwards relative to the tips of the elements.Conveniently the crop flow passage then extends around a lower part ofthe crop stripping device, and it may be defined in the outwarddirection by one or more conveying rotors, or preferably by a beltconveyor, which may be cleated or provided with transverse slats.

Preferably the lower conveying means are provided with means foradjustment of the angle of inclination relative to the ground,independent of the height adjustment of the stripping rotor and of theapparatus as a whole. Preferably also the stripping rotor is providedwith means for adjustment of its fore-and-aft position, so that from awide range of possible settings the most appropriate combination may beselected for effective and efficient crop recovery regardless of theconditions of the crop and of the ground.

The height-adjustable moveable support means may comprise a horizontalrotor mounted in the mobile support structure substantially transverseto the path of forward movement of the apparatus, or leading at one end,the rotor being provided with at least two transversely arranged arraysor one helically arranged array of crop stripping elements.

Alternatively the height-adjustable, driven moveable support means maycomprise a continuous belt or flexible sheet which extends across thefull working width of the apparatus, generally transversely to its pathof forward movement and vertical, or forwardly inclined in the frontregion. The full-width belt or other means may be supported, undersufficient tension to transmit the required driving force, between tworollers or sets of sprockets or wheels. Preferably there may be securedto the driven side of the flexible support means teeth or toothed beltsat least near both sides, to register with toothed wheels or pulleys atleast on one of the shafts which provides the drive.

Advantageously there may be provided an additional high-speed frontrotor co-operating with the principal stripping device when this isdriven in the overshot mode. Thus there may be provided a preferablyseparately height-adjustable rotor facing the principal stripping deviceand rotating in the lower centre region against the direction of forwardmovement of the harvesting apparatus. Around a variable part of itsfront region the additional rotor may be shielded by a hood againstpremature contact with the crop. The additional rotor is driven atperipheral speeds suitable for stripping wanted plant parts from theforward facing regions particularly of seed heads, to redirect intorecovery trajectories seeds which are propelled against it by theprincipal stripping device, and to assist feeding of the crop into theprincipal stripping device, especially when the crop is tangled orlodged.

The additional rotor may be provided for stripping forward facing plantregions with transversely or helically arranged serrated ribs or witharrays of crop stripping elements of the present invention.

In an alternative embodiment the additional rotor may be densely studdedon its core surface with tough but relatively soft protrusions which maytaper towards their tips and may be circular or oblong in cross-section.The protrusions serve to remove seeds from the forward facing plantparts and to lift crop by a flailing action. Any particles which may bethrown against the rotor are particularly likely to be re-directedupwards. In known manner an adjustment may be provided for the positionof the hood which covers the additional rotor at the front, to advanceor retard contact between the crop and the rotor.

In embodiments of the invention there may be combined, with the cropstripping device, preferably transversely oriented apparatus forseparating wanted from unwanted crop fractions and for cleaning thewanted fraction. Accordingly there may be provided transversely arrangedcompact means for separating the free seeds already threshed by thestripping device, re-threshing any crop portions still containing seeds,separating the further detached seed and optionally applying primarycleaning to the separated seed before conveying it for final cleaningand collection.

In preferred embodiments, an upper crop guide cover defines with theseed stripping and separating apparatus a rearwardly extended crop flowpassage through which stripped material reaches the separating section.Near the end of the crop flow passage there may be provided a transversearray of thin spaced-apart driven discs on a common shaft, optionallyintermeshing with thin, static, spaced-apart, forward-facing finsbridging in the vertical plane the space between the crop guide cover atthe top and a transverse conveyor, preferably an auger conveyor, forseparated seeds and other small crop particles to fall into.

Yet a further or alternative means of separating small from coarsedetached material may be provided by a transversely and generallyhorizontally arranged open-mesh conveyor made of pivoted metal links orflexible mesh material. Preferably the screen apertures are sodimensioned that seeds may pass through the upper and lower runs of theconveyor, which move in opposite directions, to be transported sidewaysby transverse scraper slats attached to the conveyor and co-operatingwith a floor plate. Thus, coarse material is conveyed in one directionon the upper level and wanted plant parts, particular seeds, with smallimpurities in the opposite direction at the lower level.

Improvement of the separating effectiveness of the open-mesh conveyormay be provided by agitating means fitted beneath the upper conveyor runso that this is lifted and lowered abruptly at short intervals. Theagitating means may consist of two or more shafts arranged transverselyto the direction of conveyor movement, each shaft carrying at least oneset of lobes or eccentric rollers, the shafts being kept insynchronisation, as required, by a chain joining equal-sized sprocketsat the ends of the shafts.

Beneath the open-mesh conveyor there may be positioned threshing meansfor detaching and separating from the coarse material any unthreshedseeds. Conveniently the threshing means may comprise one threshing andone beating drum or a succession of such drums arranged and drivengenerally with their axes in the horizontal plane and oriented in thedirection of forward movement of the apparatus.

The threshing and beating drums may co-rotate to move the crop beneaththem from the feed end to the discharge end. As an alternative tofeeding from above, the stripped material may be directed to the feedend from a lower level for threshing, for example from a transverselyacting, side- or centre-delivering table auger of known configuration.

Beneath each drum there may be provided an open-grate concave generallyof known construction for separating out the detached seeds. Inaccordance with common practice the clearance between each concave anddrum is adjustable to vary the severity of treatment.

To protect the multi-drum tangential threshing means against damage byforeign objects entrained in the crop, a stone trap is preferablyprovided in front of and beneath the entrance to the primary threshingunit. In addition, each concave may be pivoted at the upstream end andsupported resiliently, preferably on elastic springs, at the exit end.Depending on the crops to be threshed, the threshing drums may beprovided with conventional rasp bars or with studs or pegs which give amore severe action.

As an alternative to individual concaves being provided under eachthreshing or beater drum, all the concaves may be mounted on a commonsupport structure with adjustment being provided to lift or lower thefront and/or rear on either or both sides.

Because harvesting seed by in-situ stripping can reduce the straw intakeby around 50%-90%, the re-threshing means may be dimensioned moremodestly than in a conventional combine-harvester. Where high throughputis essential, the fore-and-aft length of the threshing and beating drumsmay be increased. Alternatively, the multiple-drum rethreshing means maybe replaced by an axial threshing rotor with cylindrical concavesurrounding it.

In known forms of such axial threshing means the crop is fed usually toa helical intake impeller axially or from a tangential direction, alwaysat a low level, and not from the rear or above, as in the presentinvention.

In the axial threshing unit the crop is treated in a spiral path guidedby helically arranged deflectors on the inner surface of the cylindricalopen-grate concave and/or by suitably angled threshing bars on therotor. The threshing region is adjacent the feed region and is followedby the separating and discharge regions.

Beneath the threshing means, whether tangential or axial, there may beprovided an open-mesh transverse conveyor for separating out seeds fromany coarse material which may have passed through the threshingconcaves, the coarse material being conveyed at the upper level in onedirection, conveniently for discharge on to the field surface, and theseeds being conveyed in the opposite direction at the lower level fortransfer into another, preferably rearwardly directed conveyor.

The open-mesh conveyor may be agitated by eccentric means under theupper run to encourage seeds to pass through. Additionally there may beprovided transverse slats, to make conveying over a solid base platepositive and increase the capacity of the conveyor.

Seeds separated from coarse material at a higher level may be conveyed,preferably by an auger conveyor, to a convenient side region, where itmay be allowed to cascade downwards in an evenly distributed streamthrough an air stream of controllable velocity and direction for theremoval of light impurities. All the separated and cleaned seeds maythen be conveyed, where necessary via a final cleaning apparatus, to abulk tank preferably provided with transloading facility.

The alternative forms of separating apparatus are provided downstream ofthe crop stripping apparatus for separating already threshed andunthreshed seeds and for cleaning the seeds by space-saving compactmeans arranged and driven to operate transversely across the path ofmovement of the harvesting apparatus so that material flows from side toside and from an upper to a lower level across all or part of the widthof the apparatus.

Although the cleaning part of the preferred form of apparatus has beendescribed in a specific manner, it should be noted that before or afterprimary separation of seeds threshed by the stripping apparatus thecollected material may be allowed to fall to a lower level where atransversely arranged auger or other crop conveyor behind the strippingapparatus transfers it to one side or into the centre for rearwardfeeding by known means into the intake region of a transversely arrangedtangential or axial threshing apparatus, as previously described.Optionally the threshing apparatus may be inclined towards the dischargeregion so that space is available under much of the threshing apparatusfor known seed cleaning and conveying apparatus to be provided.

An alternative form of primary cleaning apparatus for stripped seedsamples contaminated with coarse unwanted crop fractions may be providedby replacing with a perforated screen or sieve the floor plate of thekind of crop elevator which is commonly used in conventional combineharvesters for feeding the cut material from the cutting table to thethreshing mechanism. Cut seed-bearing crops do not contain worthwhilequantities of free seeds, but during in situ stripping, particularly ofgrain crops, over 90% of the seeds may be threshed by the strippingdevice of the present invention.

The screen which may be provided under the crop elevator may have fixedapertures of different shape and size, or it may be anadjustable-aperture sieve. The screen may be kept static, or it may bereciprocated in or across the direction of crop flow or about a pivotpositioned in any of a range of locations in or adjacent the screenarea. Separated seeds fall on to a collecting ramp, from which theyslide into, for example, an auger conveyor or are removed by scraper orother means.

A seed separating conveyor may employ slats, tines, fingers or otherdiscontinuous means for moving stripped crop material over a perforatedsurface, optionally delivering it to further processing means, which maybe oriented parallel with or tranversely to the direction of movementover the ground of the harvesting apparatus.

The present invention may be put into effect in such a way that theapparatus may be mounted on a tractor, preferably a tractor with reversedrive facility, that it may be mounted on a self-propelled vehicle withappropriate controls and optionally provided with final seed cleaningmeans and a holding tank with emptying conveyors, or that it may replacethe cutting tables of conventional combine harvesters.

Generally the invention finds application in the harvesting of matureseeds by a single pass or in successive passes, including cereals,pulses, oil seeds and herbage seeds, and in the harvesting of wholeseeds bodies, some fruiting bodies and foilage fractions.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention to be described provide,in addition to compactness of construction offering low weight and cost,the advantages of high work rates and hence low harvesting costs,timeliness of harvesting, extended time availble to the farmer forpreparing for the next crop, and efficient and ecnomical disposal orutilisation of the crop residue, which dries quickly after rain and isfavourably presented for burning, chopping or harvesting, as required.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examplewith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side elevation of a stripperharvester embodying the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 2a respectively front and side elevations of fin-like cropstripping elements with pronounced leading edges;

FIG. 2b is a view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 2cshows in end elevation the fin-like crop stripping elements tiltedlaterally;

FIGS. 3 and 3a are respectively front and side elevations of cropstripping elements forming outwardly directed extensions of transverselyarranged, serrated and corrugated ribs;

FIG. 3b is a view of the elements in FIG. 3 in the direction of arrow B;

FIGS. 4 and 4a are respectively a side and end elevation of a wedge-formcrop stripping element with coarsely serrated laterally declinedtrailing side region;

FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows CC in FIG.4;

FIGS. 5 and 5a are respectively a side elevation of the outer part of awedge-form crop stripping element and an end elevation, showing surfaceand edge profiling;

FIGS. 6 and 6a are respectively a side and end elevation of wedge-formcrop stripping elements provided with protrusions on the laterallydeclined surface;

FIGS. 7, 7a and 7b are respectively a side, end and partlycross-sectional side elevation of a wedge-form crop stripping elementprovided with ribbed crop engaging surface and stepped leading andtrailing edges;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic end elevation of a wedge-form element attachedto a cantilevered zig-zag bracket arrangement;

FIG. 9 shows in plan view a section of the development of the surface ofa crop stripping rotor;

FIGS. 10 and 10a are respectively front and side elevations, partly insection, of fin-like crop stripping elements in which the prominentleading edge extends in more than one direction;

FIGS. 11 and 11a are respectively front and side elevations, partly insection, of fin-like crop stripping elements in which the crop facingsurfaces lie in more than one plane;

FIGS. 12 and 12a are respectively side and end elevations, partly insection, of a fin-like crop stripping element with laterally declinedwings in the outer region;

FIGS. 13 and 13a are respectively side and end elevations of a cropstripping element having a flexible, sectioned side region;

FIG. 14 shows schematically the interaction between crop stems, seedheads and wedge-form crop stripping elements, as they appear in planview in a section of the development of the surface of a corp strippingdevice;

FIGS. 15 and 15a are respectively side and end elevations of a cropstripping element of the invention capable of momentarily gatheringdetached plant parts, illustrating also a self-locking mountingarrangement;

FIG. 15b is a plan view of the crop engaging part of the element shownin FIG. 15;

FIGS. 16 and 16a show in front elevation and plan view respectively acoil-shaped and fin-like crop stripping element alongside acircumferentially displaced corrugated fin-like crop stripping element,with interspersed serrated and corrugated transverse ribs;

FIG. 17 shows coil-shaped crop stripping elements and interspersedserrated ribs of alternative depth;

FIGS. 18, 18a and 18b show respectively front, side and end elevationsof crop stripping elements connected to serrated corrugated ribs, theelements being provided with apertures and recesses to achieve maximumthreshing effect;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a rotor on which the crop strippingelements are arranged in three helically disposed rows;

FIG. 19a is a diagrammatic front elevation of a stripping rotor havingthe crop stripping elements arranged in a three-start helix;

FIG. 20 is a perspective front elevation of a crop stripping rotor andits crop guide cover embodying the invetion;

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side elevation of the headerof a harvester embodying the invention;

FIG. 22 shows in diagrammatic cross-sectional side elevation aharvesting apparatus embodying the invention generally in the form of atractor-mounted device;

FIG. 22a shows in cross-sectional side elevation an alternative cropstripping device; and

FIG. 22b is a cross-sectional front elevation showing details of theseed separating and cleaning apparatus, as seen in the direction ofarrows GG in FIG. 22.

Throughout this specification corresponding components of the variousarrangement have been given identical reference numerals. For brevityand simplicity the functions and inter-relationships between the variouscomponents components are described and explained only when they arefirst mentioned and not fully in connection with each figure. Thus it isto be appreciated that each time corresponding components with identicalreference numerals are referred to, the appropriate description applies.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown in diagrammatic side elevationa generalised layout of one embodiment of the present invention forharvesting crops by stripping off the wanted parts in situ. Theapparatus comprises a mobile support structure, or frame, indicatedgenerally at 20, for movement over the ground when pushed or pulled by atractor, or when attached to a self-propelled power unit.

Connected to frame 20 is a moveable support means 32; in the embodimentshown this is a hollow tube, but other support means may be used, forexample a continuous belt. Mounted on the support means 32 are aplurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements 1, which maytake several different forms, as described hereinbefore or hereafter. Incombination the moveable support means 32 and the corp engaging elements1 form a rotary crop stripping device 30. This is driven by drive meansindicated diagrammatically at 22, which may comprise a drive train madeup of gears, belts, chains and/or hydraulic means, using power derivedconveniently from the engine of the operating unit.

The direction of rotation of crop stripping device 30 is such that thecrop engaging elements 1 comb through the crop in the upward directionat a front region, splitting the crop mass apart by a wedge action.Detachment of wanted plant parts is accomplished at peripheral speeds inthe approximate range of 8 to 40 m/s at the tips of elements 1 bybeating, bending, breaking, cleaving, rubbing and tearing the crop. Itis achieved also at least in part by shaking due to the whiplash effectresulting from appropriate lateral inclinations and the lateral andcircumferential spacings of the elements as they comb through the crop.

To prevent material detached from the crop by stripping device 30becoming lost, there is provided a crop guide cover 21; this cover ispreferably smoothly curved and extends from in front of the seedstripping region to beyond the rear of stripping device 30. Theunobstructed space beneath the cover 21 forms a crop flow passage 27.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the stripped material is directed intoa transverse conveying auger 83 which is located in a trough and hasseries of retracting fingers over part of its length. The fingers serveto push the collected material into ducting 84 where a slatted chainelevator 85 conveys it to a higher level for further processing orcollection.

When seed crops are harvested by stripping with the harvester shown inFIG. 1, a high percentage of seeds is threshed by the stripping device30. This free seed may be separated from any coarse crop fractionthrough a screen 86, which is shown diagrammatically to provide thefloor of duct 84. A ramp 87 directs the separated seeds into atransverse conveyor 88, conveniently an auger conveyor, for transfer toone side of the apparatus.

Screen 86 may be provided over the whole or part of its surface areawith apertures which allow mainly seeds and not coarse material to passthrough. The apertures may be of fixed size and shape; alternatively thescreen 86 may be a sieve with adjustable apertures, for example afrog-mouth or laminar-type sieve.

Preferably the screen 86 may be trapezoidal, being widest at the upperdelivery end. An eccentric drive mechanism of known form may be providedto cause the delivery end of the screen to reciporcate in an arcuatepath about a pivot near the centre of the lower feed-on end.

Material fed on to the inclined screen 86 by slatted chain conveyor 85has threshed seeds concentrated in the lower stratum of the crop layer,so that may seeds pass through the apertures close to the feed-onregion. The lateral movement of the screen increases towards thedelivery end, and this increase crop agitation, so that any remainingfree seeds are dislodged from the mat of coarse material and becomeseparated.

Conveniently the pivot for screen 86 may be positioned in a range oflocations in or adjacent the screen area. As an alternative to thepivotal motion, the screen may be reciprocated in or across thedirection of crop flow, or it may be kept static.

An advantage of a screen which is static or reciprocated in thedirection of crop flow is that the screen may be transversely dished tobe concave on its upper crop facing surface, so that the crop movingmeans on the conveyor above, such as slats, ribs, tines, fingers orother discontinuous means, may be of unequal length and arranged to forma transverse tip profile which is shaped to be convex. In this way thedifference between the density of seed and other crop matter causes theseeds to migrate by gravity into the central region of the screen, wherethe population density and shape of the crop moving means may be soarranged that a high degree of agitation, and consequently separation,is achieved.

Referring next to the crop engaging elements, which perform theimportant function of detaching the wanted crop parts, there is shown inFIGS. 2 and 2a respectively a front and a side elevation of fin-likecrop stripping elements 1 forming, or having provided on them, aprominent leading edge 4. The elements are moulded to be connected witha transverse rib 7 so that the prominent leading edges lie at an angleto the direction of forward movement, to form inwards of the elementtips laterally offset regions in which forward facing parts of the cropmay be stripped by the co-operation on laterally and circumferentiallyadjacent elements of edges 3, 4 and 5, which bound the outer region ofcrop stripping elements 1.

Parallel sided crop entry regions are provided by the prominent leadingedges 4 of laterally adjacent elements. The crop entry regions form theleading regions of rearwardly extending crop stripping passages, whichmay also be laterally, oriented, in which the edge and surface regionsof adjacent elements co-operate to act upon the corp.

The transverse rib 7 is serrated or scalloped at its outer edge in sucha way that crop stems are deflected behind the laterally angled outerregions of the fin-like elements for complete stripping of the forwardfacing parts of the crop. The principal planes of crop strippingelements 1 and transverse ribs 7 are disposed normal to each other.

Like prominent leading edge region 4, the outer edge region 5 may bebevelled to be sharp along its crop facing length. Preferably edge 5 isreclined in a straight or curved line in the direction of movement ofelements l, to prevent its trailing end in particular from dislodgingand impeling forwards wanted crop parts.

Conveniently ribs 7 may be provided at appropriate lateral spacings withmounting holes for attachment to outwardly extending mounting means suchas flanges arranged on the surface of the moveable support means.

FIG. 2b is a view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2, showing in fulloutline the normal relationship of the fin-like elements 1 to thetransverse ribs 7. In broken outline in FIGS. 2 and 2b there isindicated that the trailing regions of elements 1 may be angledlaterally and, optionally, may be profiled to form serrations.Circumferentially adjacent arrays of crop stripping elements 1 may belaterally offset, as shown in broken outline in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2c indicates that fin-like elements 1 may be inclined laterallythroughout their depth relative to transverse ribs 7. This lateralattitude of the elements increases crop contact and achieves morepositive impelling of detached crop parts both laterally and inwardlytowards the moveable support means.

In the outward direction fin-like elements 1 as shown in FIG. 2 may beset normal to the transverse axis of the moveable support means,provided they are inclined so that at least half the elements havetrailing edges which are laterally offset relative to the leading edgesand/or the crop stripping device is angled laterally relative to thedirection of forward movement.

Conveniently for some applicatins rod-like crop stripping elements maybe substituted for the fin-like elements shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 3 and 3a are respectively front and side elevations of cropstripping elements 1 which form outwardly directed extensions oftransversely arranged serrated and corrugated ribs 7. The outermost tipregion of element 1 is bounded by prominent leading edge 4 and part ofreclined edge 5; it lies in a different plane to the inner region of theelement.

Elements 1 and corrugated ribs 7 are disposed in several differentplanes, and conjointly they form regions inwards of the tips of theelements, which regions are laterally and/or inwardly offset relative tothe tip paths of elements 1, so that forward facing wanted parts of thecrop may be stripped off when the crop stems enter into the regions. Theoffset regions may be provided to be sufficiently spacious toaccommodate most crops regardless of stem thickness, and they may takedifferent shapes and have different spacings.

FIG. 3b is a view of elements 1 in FIG. 3 in the direction of arrow B,indicating that the outer regions of elements 1 may continue optionallyin the same plane as the inner regions of the elements. Conveniently theshape and size of the outer region of elements 1, which may be inclinedat different angles to the inner region, may vary in accordance withrequirements.

FIGS. 4 and 4a are respectively a side and end elevation of anotherwedge-form crop stripping element 1 having a prominent leading edge 4and a laterally declined surface with a serrated trailing edge 3. Alongthe reclined outer edge 5 of the surface is provided a protruding ridge9 to block detached crop particles being impelled forwards. Theserrations 17 in the side region of element 1 form tapering recesses 16into which crop stems are able to enter, the extent depending on theircross-sectional diameter, for effective removal of wanted plant parts.The cross-sections of the small and large crop stems indicateddiagrammatically in FIG. 4 may resemble a cereal and an oilseed rapestem respectively.

Conveniently, the depth and shape of the serrations in the side regionof element 1 may be made more or less aggressive to suit the range ofcrops which are to be harvested.

Optionally, the serrations 17 may be moulded to project above theprinicipal plane of element 1 against the direction of rotation, to formcurved or angled protrusions 19. These give advantageous stripping andimpelling, particularly in crops which have free-flowing seeds.

FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows CC in FIG.4; it shows the general shaped of the raised ridge 9, which may beprovided along the outer edge 5 of the laterally declined crop engagingsurface of element 1.

FIGS. 5 and 5a are respectively side and end elevations of the outerregion of a wedge-form crop stripping element 1 which has an outwardlyridged laterally declined crop engaging surface. In operation theprotruding ridges 17 create a washboard effect which reduces cropfriction and enhances the stripping effect.

Optionally there may be provided in the region of trailing edge 3notches 16 of depth less or greater than the thickness of the materialfrom which the elements are made. Thus more or less pronounced recesses16 may be formed with stepped side edges giving gentle but effectiveremoval of wanted plant parts.

conveniently the notches 16 may be of symmetrical or asymmetrical shapeand may be cut at different angles relative to the principal plane ofthe corp engaging surface. Protruding ridges 17 on the crop engagingsurface may be provided in different directions and in more than onedirection simultaneously. All or part of the crop engaging surface maybe studded with small protrusions to make the surface rough, or theremay be provided recesses, including perforations, of a variety of shapesand sizes.

Returning now to FIG. 5a, there is shown in broken outline the relativeposition of a complementary element, as seen in front elevation of adevelopment of the rotor surface. Whilst for coarse crops, such as somerow crops like beans and sunflowers, two inversely angled elements maybe combined to form a double-bevel wedge, it is preferable for themajority of densely planted crops, particularly cereals, that theelements are effectively of single-bevel wedge shape.

FIGS. 6 and 6a are side and end elevations respectively of analternative wedge-form crop stripping element 1. Protrusions 9 in theregion of trailing edge 3 are dimensioned to fall within the workingwidth of the element in the direction of rotation; they are shaped andoriented to impel particles laterally and inwardly on detachment fromthe plants.

Preferably there is provided along the outer reclined edge 5 of element1 an inwardly tapering ridge 9, to assist in the stripping of crop as itslides over the edge, and to deflect into favourable trajectoriesdetached particles moving over the reclined surface in the front region.

For least losses in some crops and conditions the outer region of theelement may be acutely tapered from the tip region towards the supportmeans, as indicated by broken line 5 in FIG. 6. It is preferredgenerally that the crop engaging side regions of wedge-form cropstripping elements are shaped to resemble a parallelogram or trapezium,but for some purposes outer edge 5 may be tapered inwards from the tipregion so that the side of the element forms a triangle.

FIG. 6a shows optional protrusions 19 extending from the crop engagingsurface of element 1 into a region outside the effective width of theelement. On its underside the element is supported by mounting bracket 8to which it is secured by fastening bolt 10. At its inner end (notshown) the element 1 may be shaped to abut tightly against the curved orotherwise shaped surface of the moveable support means, to preventrotation of the element in operation.

FIGS. 7 and 7a are front and end elevations respectively of an element 1having a ribbed crop engaging surface and stepped leading and trailingedges. The ribs run at a reclined angle across the crop engagingsurface, forming small ridges 17 and depressions 16 broadly parallel tothe outer edge 5.

The stepped prominent leading edge 4 is formed by the adjacent chamferedside face perpendicular to the transverse rotor axis intersecting thelaterally declined ribbed surface. The edge pattern thus achievedassists in the parting of some crops, especially if they are tangled orweed-infested.

The ribbed surface is provided to enhance the stripping effect and toguide detached particles favourably. Purpose of the stepped trailingedge is to sub-divide the strip of crop being treated by each elementand thus improve access to the seeds and other wanted parts within thecrop mass.

In broken outlines in FIG. 7 is shown that stepped trailing edge 3 maybe forwardly stepped in the inward direction, to be particularlyeffective in the stripping of forward facing plant regions.

The base region 6 of element 1 is tapered inwards to form a wide footsection adjacent the moveable support means. This makes it possible tolocate the base of the element and to hold it captive in an outwardlyconverging channel-section bracket, as indicated at 8 in FIG. 7b, whichis a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows DD in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic end elevation of a wedge-form crop strippingelement 1 which has a reduced-width mounting flange. It is secured by abolt 10 to a section of a zig-zag bracket arrangement 8, which formspart of a transverse mounting strip 91. The surface of the moveablesupport means 32 is provided at intervals on opposite sides with guides90 which are suitably cranked to allow a continuous length, or sectionsof, element mounting strip 91 to be inserted from the side, to beretained firmly in the operating position. Slots 92 allow transversepositioning of successive arrays of crop stripping elements andsubsequent clamping by, for example, set bolts.

This arrangement allows rapid repair and replacement of elements as wellas adaptation of the stripping device to different crops and conditionsand, if desired, to the reverse direction of operation. Convenientlythere may be made provision on the surface of the moveable support means32 for accommodating different numbers of transverse arrays of strippingelements.

Conveniently, in place of the continuous zig-zag bracket arrangementthere may be provided on the sliding mounting strip 91 individualretaining brackets of varying design, including channel-section bracketswith outwardly extending parallel or converging flanges.Coverging-channel brackets may be blanked off at their trailing ends, sothat each element may be positively secured by simple means at theleading open end, for example be deforming the side walls slightly.

FIG. 9 shows in plan view a section of the development of the surface ofa crop stripping rotor in which the bracket-carrying strips 91 areoriented to surround the moveable support means 32. Known means may beused to tension the straps 91, provided a distribution of mass ismaintained around the rotor axis which takes account of the requirementsfor adequate dynamic balance. To prevent circumferential slip of thesliding straps 91, there may be provided recesses 93 in the straps toregister with dowels 94. Other locating means may be employed.

Whilst in FIG. 9 the upper two transverse rows of brackets 8 forsecuring the elements 1 are simple cantilevered flanges, the lowermostrow shows channel-type brackets with outwardly converging walls.Optionally other means and methods of attaching discrete crop strippingelements to moveable support means may be provided.

FIG. 9 also discloses possible patterns and densities of providing cropstripping elements on the moveable support means 32. Whilst everybracket station shown may be occupied by an element, in many crops andconditions a reduced number of elements is likely to give satisfactoryperformance.

As shown in FIG. 9, adjacent straps 91 are provided with inverselyinclined wedge-form elements. Preferably the prominent leading edgesshould at least follow each other or overlap slightly in the directionof rotation. The trailing edges 3 between two circumferential arrays ofinversely angled stripping elements may be laterally spaced apart,because the whiplash effect which is forced upon the crop by theinclined crop engaging surfaces of successive elements causes detachmentof wanted plant parts, even though an intervening strip of the crop maynot be physically swept or combed by any part of an element. Thepermissible lateral distance between trailing edges of inverselyinclined elements also depends on the shape and profile of the trailingedges.

The means and method of attaching crop stripping elements to a rotorcore, as disclosed in FIG. 9, have the important advantage that thelateral spacing between circumferential arrays of elements may bechanged quickly and easily.

As an alternative to the arrangement of elements shown in FIG. 9,successive circumferential arrays may all be oriented in the samedirection, for example in one half of the stripping rotor, whilst in theother half the orientation may be in the opposite direction. Preferablyin operation the elements may be angled away from the ends of the rotorand towards the centre. In such an arrangement successivecircumferential arrays of uni-directionally angled elements may also bespaced apart laterally, the margin depending on the length and otheraspects of the crop.

In FIG. 9 the elements are shown to be attached to their bracketsdisplaced to one side. This is one option and not a requirement to putthe invention into effect.

FIGS. 10 and 10a are respectively front and side elevations, partly insection, of fin-like crop stripping elements 1 in which the prominentleading edge 4 extends in more than one direction. As in the case of theelements shown in FIG. 2, the outer edge 5 is reclined and the innerregions are moulded or otherwise secured to transversely disposedserrated ribs 7.

The outer region of element 1 is angled less acutely to the direction offorward movement of the apparatus than the inner regions, and the tipregion is chamfered, to promote entry into the crop with minimal adversedisturbance.

Preferably the thickness and flexiblity of the material from whichelements 1 and ribs 7 are made are such that the elements are held intheir operative positions at least in part by the centrifugal effect inoperation of the apparatus. In conditions of overload or impact withforeign objects the elements 1 and ribs 7 may deflect laterally andrearwardly to escape damage.

Conveniently elements 1 may be secured to ribs 7 so that they areinclined laterally against the direction of movement, as indicated bythe broken outlines in FIG. 10. Alternatively or additionally theelements may be tilted forwardly along their outwardly extending lengthso that the tip regions lead in the direction of movement of theelements.

FIGS. 11 and 11a are respectively front and side elevations, partly insection, of fin-like crop stripping elements 1 in which the crop facingsurfaces of the elements and of ribs 7 lie in more than one plane. Inbroken outlines it is indicated that the laterally offset trailingregions may be serrated optionally; such serrations may be provided alsoin other edge regions, notably in the region of prominent leading edge4.

Perferably the elements are arranged in transverse arrays. Convenientlyin circumferentially displaced arrays of elements the tips follow eachother in the direction of movement or are marginally laterally displacedto form a helix. Ribs 7 may be moulded to take different forms,including forwardly inclined in the outward direction.

FIGS. 12 and 12a are respectively side and end elevations, partly insection, of a fin-like crop stripping element 1 provided in the outerregion with laterally extending and rearwardly and inwardly trailingwings. In cross-section the fin is wedge-shaped as indicated in brokenoutline in FIG. 12a.

In side elevation prominent leading edge 4 may be concave, to provide aprominent tip region.

Preferably the wings bounded in the outer region by the edges 5 havecrop facing surfaces which are laterally declined relative to thedirection of movement of the elements. Alternatively the wings mayextend laterally at different angles, including inclined angles relativeto the central fin.

Conveniently transverse ribs 7 may be corrugated in the outwarddirection and elements 1 may extend outwardly from the ridges or fromthe depressions of the corrugations, or both.

FIGS. 13 and 13a are respectively side and end elevations of a cropstripping element 1 having a flexible side region. Rearwards ofprominent leading edge 4 is provided a strong spine from which extendslaterally a declined surface comprising sufficiently thin flexiblematerial that it allows preferential yielding to take place in responseto increasing crop pressure and friction.

Preferably the flexible side regions are divided by lateral slits 11 sothat each section forms a flap 14 which may yield independently. Thismay allow intrusion of stiff plant stems into the normal profile of theelements so that the stems become enveloped momentarily from the sides.

Conveniently the lateral slits 11 may terminate near the spine region inpre-formed holes 12, to minimise the risk of tearing and fatigue. Theslits 11 may be provided at different angles, and the elements may bemade symmetrical by the provision of a flexible region on both sides ofthe outwardly extending central spine.

FIG. 14 shows schematically the interactions between crop stems, seedheads and wedge-form crop stripping elements, as seen in plan view in asection of the development of the surface of a crop stripping deviceaccording to the invention. The elements 1 with prominent leading edge 4flexible side regions on both sides of an outwardly extending spine. Thestaggered formation of the elements in and across the direction ofmovement relative to the `tethered` crop induces lateral whiplash. Thiscauses the heavy seed heads to be threshed by repeated impart with theleading and trailing edges and with the side regions of laterally andcircumferentially adjacent elements.

Detached particles, particularly seeds, are impelled sideways, as seen,and in the general direction of movement of the elements.

In broken outline in FIG. 14 are indicated alternative crop strippingelements, as shown in FIGS. 15, 15a and 15b. These are respectively sideand end elevations and plan view of an element 1 which has a prominentcentral leading edge 4 and reclined outer edges 5 which combine to splitthe crop apart. Following inwardly is a widening boat-shaped sectionwhich is recessed towards the centre against the direction of rotationand which is provided on each side with forwardly extending protrusions19.

The element serves to detach, gather and retarddetached plant partsbefore impelling them outwardly for recovery. Protrusions 19 may beprovided with recesses 16 and may extend forwardly and laterally atdifferent inclinations.

Illustrated in FIG. 15 by way of example is a mounting arrangement 8secured to the surface of moveable support means 32. The shapedresilient foot region 6 of element 1 is retained by the inwardlydirected lip of one of the two flanges of mounting arrangement 8. Theother flange supports the base region of the element from behind.

Element 1 may be fitted to mounting arrangement 8 by sliding it betweenthe flanges from the sides or by prising the two flanges apart andspringing the enlarged foot section into position. The heel of the footsection comprises a tapered ridge which is capable of deforming duringinsertion of the element and then extends to ensure correct and firmlocation in the mounting arrangement.

FIGS. 16 and 16a show in front elevation and plan view respectively acoil-shaped crop stripping element 2 alongside a circumferentiallydisplaced corrugated rod- or fin-like crop stripping element 1. In theinward direction both elements provide crop stripping regions which arelaterally offset relative to the tip region. The side edges of theprotruding regions of corrugated transverse ribs 7 deflect croplaterally into the sphere of influence of elements 1 and 2.

Detached plant parts are collected and impelled for recovery bytransverse ribs 7. Crop stripping elements 1 and 2 and ribs 7 may betransversely displayed in circumferential succession to form a helicalpattern by which all detached particles are intercepted and redirectedfor recovery.

Conveniently elements 1 and 2 may be secured directly to the moveablesupport means 32 by mounting bolts 10.

The outwardly directed cone-shaped coil element 2 is fashioned from rodmaterial which is semi-circular in cross-section. Conveniently materialof other cross-sectional shapes may be used, including rectangular,triangular and circular.

FIG. 17 shows coil-shaped crop stripping elements 2 and interspersedserrated ribs 7. As previously, the elements shown in broken outline areimplied to be offset circumferentially from elements shown in fulloutline. The transverse corrugated ribs 7 may be of different effectivedepth and spaced apart differently in the direction of movement of thestripping device.

When only coil-type and/or corrugated fin-like stripping elements areprovided, it is preferred that there follows one transverse rib after 2and 4 transverse arrays of elements and that the ribs extend outwardlyto at least two-thirds of the effective length of the elements.

FIGS. 18, 18a and 18b show respectively front, side and end elevationsof crop stripping elements 1 connected to serrated corrugated ribs 7.Each element 1 is shaped to provide 3 prominent leading edge regions 4which are laterally and rearwardly displaced to each other. The elementsare also shaped to provide regions which are laterally offset forstripping off forward facing wanted plant parts within or adjacent tothe boundaries of the elements in operation.

The crop facing edges and surfaces of the elements and of the corrugatedtransverse ribs lie in several different planes, and there are providedadditional edges in each element by the provision of a diamond-shapedaperture 16, to achieve in seed crops a maximum threshing effect.

At the outer, central prominent leading edge 4 of each element 1 the twoouter halves may be separated and allowed to flex independently by theprovision of a slit extending the short distance inwards from the tip toaperture 16.

At the junctions of elements 1 with corrugated ribs 7 the laterallyrecessed space may be shaped to provide more or less aggressivestripping, as indicated by the full and the broken outlines on oneelement in FIG. 18.

It will be noted that in the crop stripping elements illustrated inFIGS. 2 to 2c, 4 to 7b, 10 to 13 and 15 to 15b, prominent leading edge 4is formed at the junction of two faces of the respective element whichare inclined at an acute angle with respect to one another. If desired,of course, this feature may also be incorporated in crop strippingelements which are otherwise the same as any of the other forms of cropstripping element disclosed hereinbefore.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a short section of a rotor on whichthe crop stripping elements 1 are arranged on the moveable support means32 in three helically disposed rows. In each row the elements follow inhelical succession in such a way that each of the prominent leadingedges 4 is preferably forwardly inclined and the laterally extendingsurfaces taper rearwardly and inwardly towards the moveable supportmeans.

In FIG. 19 elements 1 have sides bounded at the outer region by straightor curved reclined edges 5.

In operation of the helically arranged crop stripping elements cropstems come to be gathered across prominent leading edges 4 at an angleto the side regions, and detachment of wanted plant parts is achieved bythe combined effects of the leading, outer and trailing edge regions.The stripping effect of rotor 30 may be enhanced by provision in theinner region of prominent leading edge 4 of recesses 16 or by theprovision of protrusions 9 at the trailing edges of helically arrangedelements 1 or between helically adjacent elements.

Conveniently the spirally arranged crop stripping elements may be formedof sheet-like resilient material in strips which may be moulded ormounted so that the outer regions of the elements are laterally offsetrelative to the mounting region. A momentary scooping effect is obtainedif the lateral offset is in the direction of movement of the elements.

FIG. 19a is a diagrammatic front elevation of a stripping rotor 30 onwhich the crop stripping elements 1 are arranged in a three-start helix.A section in the direction of arrows FF is represented by FIG. 19.

FIG. 20 is a perspective front elevation of a crop stripping rotor 30and its crop guide cover 21. Crop engaging elements 1 are laterallyreclined, trapezoidal elements, generally as shown in FIGS. 4 to 9.

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side elevation of the headerof a harvester embodying the invention. The crop stripping rotor 30,comprising the moveable support means 32 and wedge-form elements 1, issupported on each side by a hydraulically pivotable arm 82, to which isattached also crop guide cover 21.

As shown in solid outline, the elements 1 of crop stripping device 30may be rotated in the undershot mode; the adjustable front portion ofcrop guide cover 21 then shields the crop from premature contact withthe elements. Detached crop parts are delivered into the lower crop flowpassage 27 and thence on to crop conveyor 89. The conveyor dischargesthe collected material into a trough, for the auger 83 to move thematerial laterally and deliver it at one end or in the centre through afeed duct 84 for further processing or collection.

The rotor support arms 82 are telescopic and may be shortened orlengthened by separate hydraulic means or more simply, as shown, withthe aid of a locking pin which may be located in alternative alignedholes. Thus, to recover severely laid crops, the rotor and its cover maybe pushed forward and lowered to reach closer to the ground.

To be complementary to the height setting and fore-and-aft position ofrotor 30, conveyor 89 may be angled appropriately by means of hydraulicram 91. An interconnecting linkage or other means may be provided toprevent contact of rotor 30 with conveyor 89. A skid 90 at the front ofthe housing under conveyor 89 prevents damage to the conveyor due toground contact. The operating height of the whole header may be adjustedby means of hydraulic ram 92.

The undershot mode of operation is particularly suitable for harvestingseeds from short crops with a large-diameter rotor. For operation in theovershot mode the stripping elements 1 are oriented as shown in brokenoutline. Detached crop is delivered into, and passes through, the uppercrop flow passage 27 and is then guided by cover 21 in the generaldirection of crop conveyor 89 and auger 83.

Conveniently, the header shown in FIG. 21 may replace the conventionalheader of a combine-harvester or may be provided simply with means forconveying the collected material into a container or trailer.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side elevation of a harvestingapparatus embodying the invention, generally in the form of atractor-mounted device. In the front region there is shown to beprovided seed stripping apparatus 30 comprising moveable support means32 and crop engaging elements 1.

The material removed from the crop by the stripping device 30 isprevented from being scattered by the upper crop guide cover 21, whichis preferably smoothly curved and extends from in front of the seedstripping region rearwards over the whole apparatus.

The unobstructed space beneath the cover 21 serves as a crop flowpassage 27. On reaching this passage, the crop parts of directed towardsthe separating apparatus. To assist the passage of material and, ifnecessary, induce directional changes or prevent crop accumulations,auxiliary crop conveying means may be provided, where required.

The rotor 28 shown between the seed stripping device 30 and theseparating apparatus may be positioned higher or lower, be driven ineither direction and may take the alternative forms of a plain orprofiled roller or of a short continuous belt conveyor. Auxiliary cropconveying means may be provided in alternative positions, for exampleabove the front half or the centre of stripping device 30.

As a first step towards the separation of seeds and other smallfractions from the coarse material detached by the seed stripping means,there may be provided cantilevered downwardly and rearwardly from thecrop guide cover 21 a transverse array of spaced-apart static fins 40 todivide off the rear part of the crop flow passage 27 between the cropguide cover 21 and a transverse auger conveyor 42. Above this conveyorand behind the coarse crop deflecting fins 40 is positioned a drivenshaft carrying thin discs so spaced that they divide equally the spacesbetween the fins 40.

Preferably the discs are provided on their peripheries with spacedrecesses to enhance their conveying capacity.

The combination of spaced fins 40 and downwardly rotating discs 41facing the crop stream results in efficient separation from coarsematerial of small particles, without blockages occurring, even in thepresence of large quantities of crop bulk. Separated small fractionswhich have passed between the fins 40 and discs 41 are collected in thetrough beneath the auger 42 and are conveyed sideways for subsequentcleaning and combining with other seed separated later.

The coarse material, which usually contains some seed heads requiringfurther threshing, next enters the main part of the transverselyarranged and driven separating apparatus indicated generally at 50.

At the uppermost level there may be provided optionally a transversebelt conveyor 51 which feeds the material to one side of the apparatus.Details of the main separating apparatus 50 are shown in greater detailin FIG. 22b which is a cross-sectional view generally in the directionof arrows GG in FIG. 22.

In FIG. 22b the belt conveyor 51, which may be cleated, is shown to movethe material to be threshed from right to left towards the feed end of amultiple-drum threshing apparatus 53 beneath. A feed beater 52force-feeds the coarse material downwards in front of the firstthreshing drum of the threshing apparatus 53, for it to be drawn underthe first and subsequent, co-rotating drums for threshing inco-operation with an open-grate concave 54 of generally known formbeneath each drum.

To the left and forward of the first drum of the threshing apparatus 50there is provided a recessed stone trap 55 into which fall, or arepropelled by the beaters of the first drum, heavy objects which may havebeen entrained in the crop stream. The drums of the threshing apparatus50 may take different forms. They may have mounted across their widthconventional rasp-type threshing bars, or more aggressive studs or pegs,or less aggressive plain or profiled ribs.

Although five successive threshing drums are shown, followed by astripper beater in the exit region of the threshing apparatus 50, theremay be needed for some crops and conditions fewer drums and concaves,the minimum being one threshing drum and one stripper beater.

As shown, the open-grate concaves 54 are individually and adjustablypivoted at their entrance regions and are preferably supported onresilient springs under the exit region. Alternatively, the concaves maybe mounted in a common frame structure provided with height adjustingmeans, at least at the corners, to vary the clearance above and hencethe severity of the threshing process.

Beneath the open-grate concaves 54 of the threshing apparatus 50 may beprovided an open-mesh conveyor 56 having a multiplicity of apertures sodimensioned that seeds are able to pass through readily, but coarsematerial is retained on top.

To enhance the separating effect of conveyor 56, there may be providedunder the upper portion of the conveyor a series of driven or freelyrotating agitators 57, causing the upper run of the conveyor to rise andfall abruptly at intervals of time.

As indicated by the direction arrow over the separating conveyor 56 inFIG. 22b, coarse material is conveyed to the right to be deposited onthe ground. If fewer than a full-width arrangement of threshing drumsand concaves are provided, the upper run of separating conveyor 56 iscapable of transporting away the threshed material.

Seeds which fall through the upper run of conveyor 56 also pass throughthe lower run and are conveyed to the left by transverse slats or ribsacting as scrapers on the solid floor 58. The seeds are transferred intoa rearwardly moving conveyor 59, preferably an auger conveyor.Optionally there may be provided at either end or both ends of conveyor56 a counter-rotating brush or other effective device (not shown) forcleaning the conveyor off any material which may tend to adhere to it.

The seed with impurities collected in the auger conveyor 42 is alsomoved to the left towards a space 60, where it may be spread by asuitably shaped scatter plate 61, so that it falls through the spaceloosely distributed. Air entering through louvres 64 and blown by a fan62 through an outlet 63 with adjustable baffle and directional flowcontrol may be directed through the falling seed stream, to remove lightunwanted fractions which are directed on to the ground by deflector 65alongside the tractor 26.

The thus winnowed seed falls into the rear section of lower augerconveyor 59 from where it may be elevated, as shown in FIG. 22, by aconveyor 66 into a trailer 67 which may have self-unloading facility andmay be pulled behind the tractor 26.

FIG. 22a shows in a cross-sectional side elevation of alternative cropstripping device to the single rotor shown in FIG. 22. The seedstripping apparatus 30 comprises moveable support means 32, consistingof a continuous belt supported by rollers 35 and 36, and crop strippingelements 1.

It is preferred that the upper roller 36 is driven and that it ispositioned vertically above or forward of lower roller 35. Thisarrangement has the advantage that in normal crop conditions the seedbearing heads are engaged by stripping elements 1 before the lower stemregions, and thus shedding losses often caused by vibration of the stemsare minimised. A further advantage particularly of the fowardly inclinedstripping device 30 is that the friction forces applied to the plantsare low.

Conveniently there may be provided on the driven underside of flexiblesupport means 32 teeth or toothed belts, at least near the sides, toregister with toothed wheels or pulleys on at least one of thesupporting rollers which provides the drive.

In front of the upper part of seed stripping device 30 is shown anoptional additional rotor 39, which is shielded in the front region by ahood 40 against premature contact with the crop. Additional rotor 39 maybe adjustable vertically and horizontally relative to the primarystripping device 30. Rotor 39 may be driven at peripheral speedssuitable for stripping wanted plant parts from the forward facing cropregions, particularly from seed heads; it also serves to re-direct intorecovery trajectories seeds which may be propelled against it by theprincipal stripping device 30 and to assist the feeding of crop into theprincipal stripping device, especially when the crop is tangled orlodged.

For stripping forward facing plant regions the additional rotor 39 maybe provided with simple transversely or helically arranged serrated orotherwise recessed ribs or with arrays of crop stripping elements of thepresent invention.

In an alternative embodiment the additional rotor 39 may be studded onits core surface with tough but relatively soft elongate protrusionswhich may taper towards their tips and may be circular or oblong incross-section. The protrusions serve to remove seeds and to lift crop bya flailing action.

Preferably an adjustment may be provided of the extent to which rotor 39is encircled at the front by hood 21, so that contact between the cropand rotor may be advanced or retarded.

Conveniently, the harvesting apparatus described in the foregoing may beused with all or any of the separating components, depending on thedegree of separation it is required to achieve. In some instances asclean a seed sample as possible may be demanded, whilst in others onlythe coarest non-seed fraction is to be removed.

The seed stripping apparatus may be used without provision foradditional cleaning, for example when all the detached material may beneeded for grinding up as a livestock feed. In that event any of thedifferent known forms of crop collecting device may be combined with theseed stripping part of the apparatus.

There will now be considered the important dimensions and generalarrangements which are appropriate for the effective operation of theembodiments of the invention. The requirements of different seed cropsmay vary appreciably, depending on seed size, stem thickness, cropmaturity and growth habit.

For dwarf crops having low seed or fruiting bodies the minimum groundclearance under the tip envelope of the seed stripping device may be 25mm, and the effective radius of the stripping rotor preferably may be nogreater than 200 mm. A small tip radius is most readily provided by thevertical or forwardly inclined continuous-belt type stripping apparatus,but in short crops stripping rotors of small diameter also performsatisfactorily without wrapping.

For the most commonly grown crops, particularly cereal and pulse crops,the effective length of the crop stripping elements is preferably 40-160mm, most preferably 50-80 mm. The overall length range of the elementsfor all types of crop may include 20 and 240 mm. Conveniently the cropstripping elements may have different tip radii as a result of extendingoutwards from the moveable support means for different distances, andtransverse and/or circumferential arrays of crop stripping elements maycomprise different types of element.

Conveniently the effective width of wedge-form crop stripping elementsmay vary between 20 and around 200 mm, preferably between 35 and 100 mm.The material from which rod- and fin-like crop stripping elements aremade may have thickness dimensions which include conveniently 5 and 20mm.

Preferably the depth of fin-like crop stripping elements in thedirection of movement may vary between 6 and 60 mm.

Preferably the lateral inclination of the principal plane of the cropengaging surface of wedge-form crop stripping elements is 10 to 65°relative to a plane perpendicular to the transverse rotor axis.

The reclined angle the outer edge of an element makes with a transverseradial plane passing through the tip of the element is preferably atleast 10° , more preferably 10° to 20° and most preferably 30° or more.

Conveniently the maximum effective radius of seed stripping rotors forthe majority of crops in temperate climates may be around 500 mm, andthe maximum effective length of a continuous belt-type seed strippingdevice 1200 mm. The preferred effective radius of a crop stripping rotorfor general purpose use ranges between 200 and 300 mm.

Conveniently the tip speeds of the crop engaging elements on a cropstripping rotor or belt may vary between 8 and 40 m/s, the preferredrange being 12-24 m/s, and the most preferred 15-22 m/s.

Conveniently the effective radius of threshing drums used intransversely arranged multiples may vary according to the principalcrops to be harvested between 180 and 250 mm, and the radius of an axialthreshing rotor may vary between 200 and 500 mm.

In conformity with established practice and the requirements fordifferent crops, the peripheral speeds of threshing and beating drumsmay vary widely according to crop type and seed size and maturity.

Conveniently the fore-and-aft length of each threshing and beating drummay be 1000-2000 mm, preferably 1400 mm, and the transverse length of anaxial threshing rotor may be 2000-5000 mm.

I claim:
 1. Apparatus for harvesting crops comprising:a mobile supportstructure for movement over the ground; movable support means extendingtransversely across the direction of forward movement of the apparatus;a plurality of crop engaging elements secured to the movable supportmeans and cantilevered therefrom to extend longitudinally outwardly fromsaid support means; means mounting said movable support means formovement, relative to said support structure, such as to cause said cropengaging elements to comb through a naturally disposed uncut crop intowhich the mobile support structure is moved; at least some of the cropengaging elements comprising crop stripping elements, each having, atleast in an outer region thereof, a form which, in section through theelement substantially perpendicular to the direction of longitudinalextent of the element, presents the configuration of an acutely taperedwedge pointing in the direction of movement of the element consequentupon said movement of the movable support means whereby the cropstripping element presents a narrow leading edge facing in the directionof movement of the element during such movement of the movable supportmeans; means for imparting said movement to the movable support means;and crop guide means extending over or under the apparatus, whereby, inoperation as the apparatus is advanced through a standing, naturallydisposed uncut crop, and the movable support means is moved by saiddriving means, the crop stripping elements will comb through the crop tosplit the crop mass apart and detach and recover wanted plant parts andthe crop guide means will prevent detached wanted crop parts frombecoming lost and will direct them rearward for collection.
 2. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which the crop engaging elements are shaped soas to impel detached crop parts into paths which are directedsubstantially laterally and/or inwardly at a front region.
 3. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which an outwardly extending crop facingsurface lies in two or more planes.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1,in which in at least one said crop stripping elements, the surfacethereof which defines said wedge and includes said leading edge isadditionally grooved, ribbed or otherwise contoured.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which the trailing edge regions are providedwith forwardly directed protrusions.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1,in which the leading edge regions of outwardly extending elementscomprising fins or rods are acutely laterally inclined in one directionor more to the transverse axis of the stripping device.
 7. Apparatusaccording to claim 6, in which the outwardly extending fins havetrailing regions comprising lateral protrusions.
 8. Apparatus accordingto claim 1, in which crop engaging elements are shaped and oriented toform regions which are inwardly, laterally, and rearwardly offsetrelative to the tips of the elements for stripping wanted plant partsoff the forward facing crop regions when crop intrudes into the offsetregions.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the prominentleading edge in the outer region of a crop stripping element is followedinwardly by a depression in the crop engaging surface between the sideregions of the element.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which thecrop facing surface or surfaces of a crop engaging element is/areperforated.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which acutelyreclined side regions of circumferentially spaced but laterally adjacentcrop stripping elements overlap in the direction of movement of theelements.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the cropstripping elements have outer edge regions which are laterally offsetfrom the mounting regions.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 1, in whichthe trailing and leading edge regions of a laterally andcircumferentially disposed element are adapted, by the provision ofrecesses and/or protrusions, to enhance the stripping effect. 14.Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the outer edge regions of cropstripping elements are laterally and inwardly curved.
 15. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which the inner mounting region of cropengaging elements is enlarged to form a broadened foot region which isshaped to be sprung by inwardly directed force into guides providing aself-locking fit.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which themovable support means comprises a continuous transverse belt from whichthe crop engaging elements are cantilevered outwardly and the frontregion of which is forwardly inclined.
 17. Apparatus according to claim1, in which there is provided in front of and in proximity with theprincipal seed stripping means an additional rotor, shielded at thefront against premature crop contact, which is adapted for strippingseeds off the forward facing parts of seed heads.
 18. Apparatusaccording to claim 17, in which the rotor has a core member denselypopulated with flexible elongate projections to provide a flailingeffect.
 19. Apparatus for harvesting crops comprising:a mobile supportstructure for movement over the ground; movable support means extendingtransversely across the direction of forward movement of the apparatus;a plurality of crop engaging elements secured to the movable supportmeans and cantilevered therefrom to extend longitudinally outwardly fromsaid support means; means mounting said movable support means formovement, relative to said support stucture, such as to cause said cropengaging elements to comb through a naturally disposed uncut crop intowhich the mobile support structure is moved; at least some of the cropengaging elements comprising crop stripping elements, each having, atleast in an outer region thereof, a form which, in section through theelement substantially perpendicular to the direction of longitudinalextent of the element, presents the configuration of an acutely taperedwedge pointing in the direction of movement of the element consequentupon said movement of the movable support means whereby the cropstripping element presents a narrow leading edge facing in the directionof movement of the element during such movement of the movable supportmeans; each of said crop stripping elements comprising at least oneoutwardly extending crop facing surface which is bounded in its cropengaging region by a prominent leading edge, a trailing edge and anintermediate outer edge; means for imparting said movement to themovable support means; and crop guide means extending over or under theapparatus whereby, in operation as the apparatus is advanced through astanding, naturally disposed uncut crop, and the movable support meansis moved by said driving means, the crop stripping elements will combthrough the crop to split the crop mass apart and detach and recoverwanted plant parts and the crop guide means will prevent detached wantedcrop parts from becoming lost and will direct them rearward forcollection.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, in which the outer edgeregion is provided at least for part of its length with a crop-facingridge.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 19, in which the trailing edgeregions are profiled in stepped or recessed form.
 22. Apparatus forharvesting crops comprising:a mobile support structure for movement overthe ground; movable support means extending transversely across thedirection of forward movement of the apparatus; a plurality of cropengaging elements secured to the movable support means and cantileveredtherefrom to extend longitudinally outwardly from said support means;means mounting said movable support means for movement, relative to saidsupport structure, such as to cause said crop engaging elements to combthrough a naturally disposed uncut crop into which the mobile supportstructure is moved; at least some of the crop engaging elementscomprising crop stripping elements, each having, at least in an outerregion thereof, a form which, in section through the elementsubstantially perpendicular to the direction of longitudinal extent ofthe element, presents the configuration of an acutely tapered wedgepointing in the direction of movement of the element consequent uponsaid movement of the movable support means whereby the crop strippingelement presents a narrow leading edge facing in the direction ofmovement of the element during such movement of the movable supportmeans; said crop stripping elements have differing stiffness acrosstheir effective width, so that in operation flexible trailing sideregions may yield into reclined positions in response to increasing croppressure and friction; means for imparting said movement to the movablesupport means; and crop guide means extending over or under theapparatus, whereby, in operation as the apparatus is advanced through astanding, naturally disposed uncut crop, and the movable support meansis moved by said driving means, the crop stripping elements will combthrough the crop to split the crop mass apart and detach and recoverwanted plant parts and the crop guide means will prevent detached wantedcrop parts from becoming lost and will direct them rearward forcollection.
 23. Apparatus according to claim 22, in which the flexibleside regions are divided into a series of flaps so that plant stems maybe enveloped from the sides by the sides regions for efficient strippingof wanted plant parts.
 24. Apparatus for harvesting crops comprising:amobile support structure for movement over the ground; movable supportmeans extending transversely across the direction of forward movement ofthe apparatus; a plurality of crop engaging elements secured to themovable support means and cantilevered therefrom to extendlongitudinally outwardly from said support means; means mounting saidmovable support means for movement, relative to said support structure,such as to cause said crop engaging elements to comb through a naturallydisposed uncut crop into which the mobile support structure is moved; atleast some of the crop engaging elements comprising crop strippingelements, each having, at least in an outer region thereof, a formwhich, in section through the element substantially perpendicular to thedirection of longitudinal extent of the element, presents theconfiguration of an acutely tapered wedge pointing in the direction ofmovement of the element consequent upon said movement of the movablesupport means whereby the crop stripping element presents a narrowleading edge facing in the direction of movement of the element duringsuch movement of the movable support means; additional transverse ribshaving a serrated or otherwise profiled leading edge, to cooperate withthe crop stripping elements; means for imparting said movement to themovable support means; and crop guide means extending over or under theapparatus, whereby, in operation as the apparatus is advanced through astanding, naturally disposed uncut crop, and the movable support meansis moved by said driving means, the crop stripping elements will combthrough the crop to split the crop mass apart and detach and recoverwanted plant parts and the crop guide means will prevent detached wantedcrop parts from becoming lost and will direct them rearward forcollection.
 25. Apparatus according to claim 24, in which the transverseribs are corrugated or folded in the outward direction.
 26. Apparatusaccording to claim 24, in which the crop stripping elements formoutwardly extending integral or separate extensions of a transverse riband have connecting regions which lie in a plane different from thesupporting plane of the rib.
 27. Apparatus for harvesting cropscomprising:a mobile support structure for movement over the ground;movable support means extending transversely across the direction offorward movement of the apparatus; a plurality of crop engaging elementssecured to the movable support means and cantilevered therefrom toextend longitudinally outwardly from said support means; means mountingsaid movable support means for movement, relative to said supportstructure, such as to cause said crop engaging elements to comb througha naturally disposed uncut crop into which the mobile support structureis moved; at least some of the crop engaging elements comprising cropstripping elements, each having, at least in an outer region thereof, aform which, in section through the element substantially perpendicularto the direction of longitudinal extent of the element, presents theconfiguration of an acutely tapered wedge pointing in the direction ofmovement of the element consequent upon said movement of the movablesupport means whereby the crop stripping element presents a narrowleading edge facing in the direction of movement of the element duringsuch movement of the movable support means; said crop engaging elementsintegral with, or mounted on, moveable strips disposed circumferentiallyaround the movable support means, to permit lateral adjustment of theposition of the elements and reversal of their lateral inclination;means for imparting said movement to the movable support means; and cropguide means extending over or under the apparatus, whereby, in operationas the apparatus is advanced through a standing, naturally disposeduncut crop, and the movable support means is moved by said drivingmeans, the crop stripping elements will comb through the crop to splitthe crop mass apart and detach and recover wanted plant parts and thecrop guide means will prevent detached wanted crop parts from becominglost and will direct them rearward for collection.
 28. A method ofharvesting a crop comprising:providing an apparatus for harvesting cropscomprising: a mobile support structure for movement over the ground;movable support means extending transversely across the direction offorward movement of the apparatus; a plurality of crop engaging elementssecured to the movable support means and cantilevered therefrom toextend longitudinally outwardly from said support means; means mountingsaid movable support means for movement, relative to said supportstucture, such as to cause said crop engaging elements to comb through anaturally disposed uncut crop into which the mobile support structure ismoved; at least some of the crop engaging elements comprising cropstripping elements, each having, at least in an outer region thereof,form which, in section through the element substantially perpendicularto the direction of longitudinal extent of the element, presents theconfiguration of an acutely tapered wedge pointing in the direction ofmovement of the element consequent upon said movement of the movablesupport means whereby the crop stripping element presents a narrowleading edge facing in the direction of movement of the element duringsuch movement of the movable support means; means for imparting saidmovement to the movable support means; and crop guide means extendingover or under the apparatus, whereby, in operation as the apparatus isadvanced through a standing, naturally disposed uncut crop, and themovable support means is moved by said driving means, the crop strippingelements will comb through the crop to split the crop mass apart anddetach and recover wanted plant parts and the crop guide means willprevent detached wanted crop parts from becoming lost and will directthem rearward for collection. moving through the uncut crop saidapparatus; driving said movable support means so that said crop engagingelements comb through the naturally disposed crop at a front region ofthe apparatus, whereby said crop stripping elements form acutely beveledwedges effective in the direction defined by rotation of the elementsaround the transverse axis of the support means and movement of theapparatus through the crop, to split the crop mass apart and to detachwanted parts from the plants, and impelling detached crop partssubstantially laterally and rearwardly towards a collection facility.29. A method according to claim 28, comprising impelling the detachedcrop parts towards the said collection facility at least in part by theaction of profiled and/or folded transverse ribs provided on saidmovable support means.
 30. A method according to claim 28, wherein atleast some of said crop engaging elements have lateral wings orprotrusions andbeating the seed heads with said laterally extendingwings or protrusions, so that said seed is detached from the seed heads.31. A method according to claim 28,comprising detaching said seeds fromforward-facing parts of seed-bearing heads by the effect of impactsdirected by separate means on the seed heads in a direction counter tothe direction of forward movement of the apparatus.
 32. A methodaccording to claim 28, wherein at least some of said crop strippingelements are flexible; andparting the seed-bearing stems of the crop anddetaching said seeds from the seed heads, by a flailing effect of saidcrop stripping elements.